Founders
PMA International BV is a global organization, formed by the effective and inspiring cooperation between the founder of the PMA technique Jacob Korthuis and successful entrepreneur Harold Vreeman.
Jacob Korthuis
Korthuis’ curiosity about human behavior and psychosomatic health issues dates back to his early years. Therefore, it was no surprise that he focused his research on finding the hidden driving forces of our neurophysiological control mechanisms. He asked himself questions such as:
- Why do we behave like we do?
- What are the subconscious programs that create our beliefs, decisions, actions and behaviors?
- What gives meaning to our existence?
His quest for answers took him 25 years and included specializations in the medical world, various cultural and religious philosophies, quantum physics, philosophy, psychology, holistic medicine and personal coaching.
Discovery of 'bad clusters'
Korthuis’ knowledge and insight into deep-rooted patterns of behavior and disturbing elements that sabotage active and positive human functioning increased progressively. He discovered that normal, healthy functioning was sabotaged by unconscious blockages in the brain. He described these blockages as 'bad clusters,' unconscious neurophysiological sabotage programs.
This discovery led to the development of a method to detect and remove these sabotaging programs. He called this method Progressive Mental Alignment® (PMA).
Introduction of PMA
After Korthuis moved from the Netherlands to the USA, more and more professionals from the business world and health care industry encouraged him to put his findings on paper. In the meantime, PMA became well known in the Netherlands. Paul Bartels turned out to be a great partner because of his experience as a business coach and trainer, combined with his marketing knowledge and his personal network within the Dutch business world.
PMA’s popularity quickly grew in the Dutch business world, in stress-related professions, treatment of autism, mental health, education and government organizations. The use of the PMA method resulted in unprecedented effective results in personal development, health and interpersonal relationships.
An increasing number of professionals in various industries, as well as CEOs and owners of large enterprises, urged Korthuis to develop industry-specific PMA programs for the corporate world.
The get-together with Harold Vreeman resulted in a mutual intuitive trust that combined their insight, contacts and expertise and created the opportunity for a worldwide launch of the PMA method.
Harold Vreeman - international entrepreneur
Vreeman is owner and CEO of several companies with offices in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and China. His companies are active in the metal sector, specializing in supplying parts and developing machinery and equipment for the oil and gas industry.
Search for lasting efficiency improvement
Vreeman searched constantly for training and coaching methods for his employees, management and executive teams in order to improve their effectiveness within the companies. He was searching for a technique that would create a boost in efficiency based on a permanent improvement without the usual fallback into old habits and behavioral patterns.
He even studied various training methods and coaching for businesses. He applied these methods but was increasingly dissatisfied. He felt that something essential was missing from those well-known techniques and methodologies. The supposed improvements were never permanent. After some time, everyone was back in the 'normal' negative behavior patterns. Despite growing skepticism and doubt about the existing techniques, Vreeman kept looking for a breakthrough and enrolled in a ten-day course for PMA in Florida, USA.
Experience with PMA
On the first morning of the ten-day PMA program, Vreeman instantly knew that he had found the missing piece, which he always instinctively knew must exist. His highly developed business and organizational knowledge and skills, combined with his international network, made Vreeman realize the unrivaled global potential of PMA. This completely new method and significant addition to existing techniques would finally give companies the opportunity to create a well-oiled team with a common drive and goal. This would allow them to take a huge lead over the competition. The depth and effectiveness of PMA achieve a real, sustainable change in a very short process. The time investment makes this method financially attractive, unique, relatively simple and globally salable.
Contact Korthuis
Vreeman did not hesitate to approach Korthuis with his global vision. As an entrepreneur at heart convinced of the worldwide possibilities of this method, his first step was to clear the financial consequences of a possible partnership with Korthuis. He asked Korthuis: “What is the amount that I need to become your business partner to present PMA on the international market?" However, this way of starting a partnership purely based on money was not the idea that Korthuis perceived an ideal begin between business partners. He replied: "If you and I are on the same wavelength and it feels good for both of us, we will work closely together and create this global organization in a most effective and successful way."
Korthuis’ response set the tone for the future of a collaborative cooperation between two people who complement each other's skills.
